Football season is a time of great anticipation for fans across the nation. Many go to great lengths to prepare for each game. Particularly with college and professional games, fans arrive hours early to “prepare” for the game by tailgating. Tailgating is a form of socializing with others before the big game. Fans rally together to promote team spirit and camaraderie.

When we are excited about events such as football games, we take time to prepare for the events. We even rally others to participate. This excitement provides an enthusiasm that is contagious. We bring this excitement and enthusiasm to the big game.

This begs the question. Are we as excited about our faith as we are about our favorite football team? Do we prepare for Mass with the same enthusiasm as we do a football game? If not, we should and then some. If we truly knew the “plays” of the Mass as well as the plays at a football game, we would be pray-gating before every Mass. We would arrive early in anticipation and stay late in exhilaration!

We are Catholic. Nowhere else in the universe does heaven meet earth except at the Sacred Liturgy. Come early to pray and prepare. Stay late in thanksgiving and fellowship. Pray-gate in enthusiastic anticipation of the big event that is about to take place, Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Ponder: In what ways do you observe the required fasting before every Sacred Liturgy?

Reflect: Jn. ‪17:20-23‬

Pray: Heavenly Father, help me to prepare my heart to receive Jesus in His Word and in the Eucharist before every Holy Mass.